Expect more law enforcement on roads

COLDWATER — Expect to see more law enforcement out this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday.

Michigan State Police Lt. James Coleman said already there are more troopers on Branch County roads with the recent extension of shifts of troopers from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m.

"We have an uptick in drunk driving arrests with eight last weekend," he told the Branch County Commission work session Thursday.

One case he called "pretty incredible" resulted in the arrest of a woman with one of the highest blood alcohol levels he had seen in years in law enforcement and while working at a hospital before his law enforcement career began.

Because prosecution in that case is underway, Coleman declined to give details.

The focus this weekend for MSP officers will be seat belt use violations.

"There has been a decline in their use," Coleman noted. Failure to wear a restraint will cost drivers and passengers $65 per ticket.

Branch County Sheriff John Pollack said his marine patrol will be out in full force on area lakes. New officers were trained and boats put into shape. Pollack said last week officers set buoys in the waterways.

The Branch County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol consists of five sworn deputies in five boats. Officers patrol on most of the county’s 20 major lakes looking for unsafe boating practices, doing inspections and arresting violators when necessary.